On the morning of February 21, Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), visited CIRD. Professor Chi Fulin, President of CIRD, extended a warm welcome to Secretary General Zhang and his delegation. Both sides held a discussion and exchange during the visit.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed several topics, including organizing the 2025 Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum during the annual conference, jointly conducting and strengthening international academic exchanges, and deepening institutional cooperation. Secretary General Zhang introduced the BFA's key focus areas for its next stage of development and provided an overview of the 2025 annual conference. He also expressed hope for further strengthening cooperation, leveraging each side's strengths. President Chi Fulin expressed that CIRD is committed to playing the role of a think tank and is eager to actively participate in and support the high-quality development of the BFA.

The meeting was also attended by Cheng Ji, Executive Director of the BFA Secretariat; Wang Dong, Director of the Host Country Affairs Department; Zhao Hui, Assistant Secretary-General and Vice President of the BFA Research Institute; Zang Yiran, Director of the Conference and Administrative Affairs Department. Yang Rui, Executive President of CIRD and President of RCEP Research Institute; Chen Wei, Kuang Xianming, Long Xiaoling, Vice Presidents of CIRD; and Liu Tieqi, Secretary to the President of CIRD.